Bill and Melinda Gates have their own version of the State of the Union, and they’re using it to spread some optimism about the next 15 years — and to mobilize a coalition of “global citizens” who care about the post-2015 development agenda.
The Gates Foundation’s 2015 annual letter, released Thursday, concludes with the launch of an online advocacy effort called “Global Citizen.” The campaign aims to connect ideas and people so that, collectively, they can persuade governments, companies and nonprofits to prioritize efforts to improve the lives of the poorest people.
“[B]eing a global citizen is not just about being part of one organization,” the letter reads, “it’s about being part of a movement made up of many effective organizations.” These include not just large global groups such as CIVICUS, Save the Children, ONE Campaign, ActionAid, Oxfam and Greenpeace, but also “smaller national organizations from Sri Lanka to South Africa.”
About the author
Michael Igoe@AlterIgoe
Michael Igoe is a Senior Reporter with Devex, based in Washington, D.C. He covers U.S. foreign aid, global health, climate change, and development finance. Prior to joining Devex, Michael researched water management and climate change adaptation in post-Soviet Central Asia, where he also wrote for EurasiaNet. Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Russian, and his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he studied international conservation and development.
